contains SPOILERS for Season 4 and potentially Season 5, if you STILL haven't caught up YET!.
Season 4 Ends:
Damien Dahrhk is finally defeated, his 'ark' sanctuary and the Glades above it destroyed, the evil hedgehog and DD's evil spawn conveniently forgotten about, and the heroes of Star City gather in the Lair/Bunker/Arrowcave for the afterparty.
Quentin: Well, I got permanently fired from the police force. So I guess I will go on a honeymoon with Donna.
Oliver: You will be missed. You were a loyal and upstanding police officer, detective, and captain. You will always be welcome here. ::hug:: But spare us the details, please.
Thea: I sorta threatened to kill a little kid, and I meant it. I guess I am my father's daughter. But I thought about what Laurel would say, and she would tell me to quit the thrill-seeking and go to college. Maybe I'll study law.
Oliver: ::hug!:: I understand, Speedy, but college years don't start til the fall. Stay here with me until then!
Diggle: I'm conflicted about killing Andy and not killing Ghosts... So I decided to go back into the military, while my daughter is still too young to remember me and be very sad if I get killed.
Oliver: But I can't do this without you. I never could. Except those few weeks I kept escaping from you when you were trying to bodyguard me. You keep me on the straight and narrow. Don't go.
Diggle: Well... in case you haven't noticed, it's been you who's been doing that for me, lately. ::hug:: You'll be fine, man.
Oliver: ::manly sniffle::
Malcolm: Hey, I can stay! We ca--
Oliver: Get lost!
Season 5 Begins:
Oliver Queen takes his post as interim Mayor of Star City and oversees the cleanup of the giant crater that is (was) the Glades. After several months (or however long the between-season break is), the area is ready to start rebuilding.
Oliver's Secretary: Mr. Queen, we've finally located the owner of those shell corporations that hold deeded title to all the land in the Glades.
Oliver: Just one owner? For all of it?
Secretary: Yes, sir.
Oliver: Weird, but this will make things a whole lot easier. Send him in!
The secretary goes out and sends the landowner in.
Malcolm Merlyn: ::strolls in:: Hullo, Oliver!
Oliver: What the #$(*%&!? You again!?
Malcolm: Yep!
Oliver: Do I have to put up with you every year!?
Malcolm: Come on, I left you alone for one whole year. Actually, that year didn't turn out so well for you.
Oliver: Shut up!
Malcolm: Come on, show some maturity. We can work together to rebuild our city, can't we?
Oliver: What is this? "Green & Black"?